Much ado has been about the new judging panel on American Idol, however it appears the conundrum ends today.

Diva Mariah Carey, who up until now was the only confirmed judge on the re-jigged panel, moments ago shared the shot above of her with what appears to be her fellow Idol cast-mates – Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Randy Jackson, and host Ryan Seacrest.

Of course, it’s important to exercise caution until an official announcement is made. But what are the odds of Mariah, Minaj, Jackson and co all being at the same place at the same time in the same photo?

Filming for Idol 2013 auditions begins today, hence an answer as to who will be sitting with ol’Mimi on Fox next January is clearly imminent.

UPDATE: Ryan Seacrest has CONFIRMED the line-up is legit!

It’s official, your new #IdolJudges are @mariahcarey, @nickiminaj, @keithurban & @yo_randyjackson! instagr.am/p/Po5T3JFWf1/

— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) September 16, 2012

Everyone gave a heartfelt toast about being on the show after we ate last night. Cant wait to see the first contestants today. #IdolJudges

— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) September 16, 2012

Your thoughts?

Frank Ocean hits the strip club and the desert for his latest visual piece, ‘Pyramids’.

Joined by SNL buddy John Mayer and more than enough strippers, the flick sees the ‘Bad Religion‘ vocalist spawn his most creative effort to date-breathing new life into the reflective number.

We love it, so get all the way into it below…

(more…)

While many of his contemporaries struggle to say on the right side of the law, Drake continued in his efforts as a role model yesterday, serving as coach at a charitable basketball game.

Taking charge of the UK Wildcats at the University Of Kentucky, the Rapper’s contribution to the game saw an impressive  $400,000 raised for charity, marking yet another successful endeavor from the ‘Mookie’s Law‘ star.

Footage below…

(more…)

Before beginning an intense week of promo for her single ‘Sorry‘, Ciara enjoyed dinner at New York’s Mr. Chow, one night after hitting club ‘Amnesia’ with Flo Rida and Meagan Good.

Snapped by fans as she made her way into the high end spot, fans of the ‘Overdose‘ hit maker will be pleased to know she  carried out an interview with the world renown DJ Clue, set to hit the air in coming days.

More from her dinner below…

(more…)

Three of  That Grape Juice favorites joined forces for a snap at Saturday’s ‘For Sisters Only’ expo in Atlanta.  With Miguel and Brandy both on the billing for entertainment (as was J. Holiday, Mindless Behavior, and more), B-Rocka’s bff Kelly Rowland dropped by in support – rocking a fresh set of braids herself.

See more below (source):

Tidbit:  A record with these three? FIRE!  Alas, we can only dream.  But we definitely look forward to the coming months as all three of the prime R&B acts are set to release solo projects!  It’s definitely a good look and a good year for R&B lovers.

Your thoughts?

As reported here, tonight’s season premiere of ‘Saturday Night Live’ boasted the musical stylings of ‘Pyramids’ performer Frank Ocean.

Fresh off a stunning performance from the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, the 24-year-old singer/songwriter took to the New York audience to lend live renditions of two of his ‘Channel Orange’ hits.

Joined by smoky voiced guitarist John Mayer, catch all the action below if you missed it:

(more…)

Ever keen on keeping the masses abreast of fresh and/or often underrated talent, That Grape Juice presents ‘The Spill’ – a renewed look at not-so-new, yet active, acts.

Much like its ‘Freshly Squeezed’ sister segment, this revived assay aims to put the magnifying glass on talents who may not appeal to the buying public on a broad scale yet are still serving material that could easily spin side-by-side with some of today’s top hits.

Covering a kaleidoscope of genres, ‘The Spill’ is set to feature some names you probably know and love as well as some you’ll (soon) be glad to know.

Click below for The Spill on…R&B crooners Ryan Leslie, Bobby V, and Avant:

(more…)

Is Tamar Braxton the queen of freestyle singing?

Bringing us such classics as the impromptu ‘Bumpin & Grindin’, ‘Pick Up That Phone’, and ‘The Daddy Song’, Miss Braxton-Herbert may have comically secured that title by enlisting the piano skills of her superstar, Grammy-winning sister Toni Braxton recently.

Introducing the interestingly titled ‘Ding-a-Ling of Gold’, the tune is aimed at sister Trina Braxton‘s consideration of reconciliation with ex-husband Gabriel Solis.  The twosome’s split came highly publicized on the family’s hit WeTV reality series ‘Braxton Family Values’.

See the oldest and youngest of the Braxton clan take to the ivories to lend a heartfelt ballad with hopes of offering an explanation of Trina’s decision above:

Your thoughts?

(source)

Despite delays, fans have greeted Ciara‘s new single ‘Sorry’ with open arms (and ears) as it made its way to  screens this week.

Boasting reminders of moves and melodies that once placed the ‘1,2 Step’ singer’s heels atop many-a-chart, it’s safe to her forthcoming ‘One Woman Army’ offering may have her well on her way back to such heights.

But, with new L.A.Reid-led EPIC team in tow, a former integral part of the singer’s team (Jazze Pha) recently made headlines with claims that her absence from charts was due to his absence from her production credits.

Taking to our friends at VibeTV, see what Cici had to say when quizzed about reuniting with Pha, additional details on her new album, and more:

(more…)

The last few days have been busy ones for ‘Blow Me (One Last Kiss)’ beauty Pink.  The Grammy winning hitmaker has seen her name afront many billings on this side of the pond in support of her forthcoming effort ‘The Truth About Love‘.

Landing on US shelves on September 18th, the 33-year old celebrated her birthday, kicked off Ellen‘s 10th season, hit up famed talk show ‘Alan Carr:  Chatty Man’, and delivered a high octane, 80 minute set for the 2012 iTunes Festival all in just the past week.

Can’t hate a hardworker! If you missed any of it, catch it all below.  Covering some new tracks and fan favorites (‘Sober’, ‘Get This Party Started’, ‘Blow Me’, more), Miss Hart does not disappoint:

(more…)

‘Confessions’ crooner Usher invited Oprah over to his Atlanta home for an in-depth sit down to discuss his divorce drama, music career, and more for her hit ‘Oprah’s Next Chapter’ series.

Hoping to undoubtedly turn the page on his life and career, the singer candidly dished on a number of topics that have kept him in the headlines over the past few years including new chart successes but many personal failures.

While you will get your first full peek tomorrow night at 9/8c only on OWN, O has invited fans in for a look at the extended previews of the upcoming interview.  See them below:

(more…)

With R&B on the rebound, ‘Soon As I Get Home’ hitmaker Faith Evans is looking to soon see her name at the forefront of the movement with the charity album ‘R&B Divas’.

Assembling an assortment of songstresses for the TVOne record-breaking reality show and its accompanying album (Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Nicci Gilbert of Brownstone, Monifah), the powerhouse fivesome will each lend their voices to the project as its proceeds will directly benefit the Whitney Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts.

Guesting fellow R&B heavy hitters Fantasia & Kelly Price, see the girl power collective and its tracklist below:

(more…)